A modern, lively area in South London that is home to over 14,000 people, mostly consisting of young professionals and families. On the Northern line, tucked into Zone 3, Balham is home to Balham High Road which includes independent stores, coffee shops and restaurants. Whether you’re wanting a quiet area to study for those final exams, or a bustling bar to party into the night, Balham is the perfect place for students and graduates.
Safe Area
Young area
Excellent amenities
Excellent transport links
Balham is packed full of coffee shops, cafes and independent stores, perfect for having a browse on the weekend. Balham is equidistant between Wandsworth Common, Tooting Common and a stone’s throw from Clapham common making it great for walking, running and dog routes, giving you plenty of things to do and see when living in the SW12.
Balham is situated on the Northern line, in Zone 3, of the London Underground, with quick links to Clapham and Tooting. In addition to the tube station, Balham also has a train station with regular services to London Victoria, Milton Keynes Central and South Croydon.
The main universities surrounding Balham are St George’s, University of London and King’s College London, Brixton Location.
Young families, Young professionals, Students, Small welcoming community
Independent shops, Restaurants, Cafes, Places to walk, Quiet community
Rated very safe with low crime rates within the area.
In the heart of South West London lies Tooting Bec Lido, an open-air swimming pool, built in 1906. It’s the largest fresh-water swimming pool in the UK. Think Stranger Things Season 3, that kind of vibe. The Lido is open for the majority of the year, only £5 for students, with annual memberships available for the more avid swimmers! The perfect place to hang out with friends in the summer and not have to worry about breaking the bank.
Balham High Road is home to many different shops and cafes, from independent clothing stores to Spanish delis. No matter what you’re craving for Friday night takeaway, there is a restaurant for it. Due to Balham’s hugely diverse population, Balham High Road isn’t short of cultural spots to explore.
A short walk from Balham is Clapham Common, a large urban park with three ponds and the well-known bandstand. Many events are hosted here, including carnivals, dance festivals and pride events. Clapham Common is a 27 minute walk from Balham or a 11 minute tube journey, a perfect distance for a Sunday walk in the sun.
In the heart of South West London lies Tooting Bec Lido, an open-air swimming pool, built in 1906. It’s the largest fresh-water swimming pool in the UK. Think Stranger Things Season 3, that kind of vibe. The Lido is open for the majority of the year, only £5 for students, with annual memberships available for the more avid swimmers! The perfect place to hang out with friends in the summer and not have to worry about breaking the bank.
Balham High Road is home to many different shops and cafes, from independent clothing stores to Spanish delis. No matter what you’re craving for Friday night takeaway, there is a restaurant for it. Due to Balham’s hugely diverse population, Balham High Road isn’t short of cultural spots to explore.
A short walk from Balham is Clapham Common, a large urban park with three ponds and the well-known bandstand. Many events are hosted here, including carnivals, dance festivals and pride events. Clapham Common is a 27 minute walk from Balham or a 11 minute tube journey, a perfect distance for a Sunday walk in the sun.
House
£2,226
Per month, based on 3 bedroom property
Halls
£891
Per month, dependant on chosen halls
Utilities
£113
Per month
Wifi
£33.75
Per month
Council Tax
£456
Per year
Fibre Download Speeds
350 Mbps
Fibre Upload Speeds
38 Mbps
5G/4G
Good Coverage
Based on all major phone networks
Pint of Beer
£4.00
Gym Membership
£25.00
Per month
Weekly Food Shop
£25.00
Great coffee and even better pastries and sweet treats
A bright daytime café with artisan coffees and an exciting brunch menu
A welcoming cosy spot with an extensive cocktail menu
The best Mexican spot in Balham that includes all the favourites with added atmosphere and tequila
Help others find their perfect place by providing your expert knowledge and insight about your area
Due to the demography of Balham being mostly families and young professionals, it’s a super safe place. With most of the shops closing around 7pm and the bars staying open late, there’s plenty of hustle and bustle to keep your mind at rest. Balham ranks low on most of the crime statistics, making it a perfect place for students wanting to keep safe.
Balham is overwhelmed with transport links for you to choose from, one day you could be running for the bus, the next cruising on the tube. Balham is situated on the Northern Line of the London Underground and it takes around 16 minutes to get to London Bridge station. The Night Tube goes to Balham, so if you’re wanting a late night out, you can rely on getting home safe. Balham has a train station that has departures to London Victoria, Croydon, Milton Keynes and Epsom. Balham High Road is home to many bus stops too, if that’s your preferred travel choice. Buses from Balham depart to Elephant & Castle, Brixton, Clapham Common, Tooting, Morden, Mitcham, Pollards Hill, Anerley and West Norwood.
The main areas in Balham that are perfect for students are Balham High Road, the residential roads that surround Balham Train Station and Tooting Bec. All three areas are near transport links and local amenities. What more could you ask for when moving to a new place?
If you are wanting to live in student halls and accommodation in Balham and the surrounding areas, you’re looking at £205 a week or £891 a month. Most student accommodation prices include bills. If you are looking to rent a flat or start a house share, the average monthly rent for a 3 bedroom house in Balham is £2226, excluding bills.
Balham isn’t short of cool, quirky coffee shops to fuel your mornings! South River Coffee offers a relaxed atmosphere complete with good coffee and yummy homemade cakes. Camden Coffee House, Milk and Brickwood are great places for all your caffeine needs. There’s also incredible brunch spots lining Balham High Road including Brother Marcus, Natas, Apple Blue Patisserie and The Balham Kitchen. As you can see, Balham is highly caffeinated and the place for those who know the difference between a flat white and a macchiato.
Currently, Balham doesn’t have a very large student population, but you can be the pioneer who stamps their mark on the area. Only 0.2% of Balham is made up of households of full-time students. Balham’s demographic is mostly families and young professionals commuting into the city. However, surrounding Balham are a variety of Universities and colleges including St George’s, University of London Medical School. Balham is starting to become popular and coming out of Clapham’s shadow, with a large majority of young professionals and students moving and renting in this neighbourhood. It’s the perfect mix of student-y areas and working young professionals, so even after graduation you can stay in Balham a little longer and still get the same amazing experience.
Balham is centered in the middle of a Common triangle; Wandsworth, picturesque with lakes at either sides of the Common, Clapham, is the largest of the three and great for picnics and group get-togethers and Tooting, popular for dog walking and sporting events. All three offer relaxing scenic views of South West London. There’s no excuse for not wanting a run anymore, you’re on the doorstep of three amazing, scenic areas perfect for a late afternoon jog or stroll.
Yes! Balham is part of the Night Tube Underground services, even more of an incentive to check out that quirky Virtual Reality cocktail bar in the city centre. The Night Tube runs on Fridays and Saturdays on the Jubilee, Victoria and majority of the Northern, Piccadilly and Central lines. The trains run on average every 8 minutes from Balham to the City.